“When you were being held, one of them said they had been paid by someone named Eric?”
Dawn suddenly realized she intentionally had not been dismissed, but was a firsthand witness to more than just the animal attack, “‘Eric and his silly gang,’ I do believe were the exact words.”
The Mayor and Owen both visibly cringed; there was more than just a little fear in their eyes.
“That would be consistent with Eric Fechner and his gang. Out for revenge from fifteen years ago,” began Llewellyn. “I had assumed, or maybe it was just wishful thinking, that when we decimated the terrorists’ base that Eric was among them.”
“No IDs done after the rescue?” Owen asked somewhat surprised.
Llewellyn frowned, “We were a little too thorough I guess. There were all eighteen of us High Silvers, my little brother and a hundred other Silvers, and then the Shukurae brought almost two hundred of their best warriors. Between the normal actions, various parties’ love of thermobaric weapons and our own Forest Wall, it was quite a mess. We weren’t all that level-headed at the time I do confess.”
Owen nodded, understanding the level of anger that Llewellyn must have been feeling during Dawn’s rescue.
Dawn was shocked. She had no idea so many people were party to the raid. And the Shukurae, those massive but most honorable warriors, they had come to help as well. The bond between them and the Highlanders must be quite strong. Forest Wall. That was the forest that burst through the floors and walls as they escaped. She had to find out more about that!
“That brings us to the point at hand,” Owen said. “We don’t know if he is alive and free, and while it’s possible that there is someone else named Eric with a vendetta, we need to know quickly as possible. This is all too strong a coincidence for me.”
“I’ll have an answer from the Kulpgurie in 48 hours,” the Mayor declared.
“An odd option is a sympathy or copycat group,” offered Owen. “I’ll have my men start digging.”
“Gentleman,” began the Mayor formally, “let me make this clear. I trust you both immensely; you are free to use any and all means necessary. Do what needs to be done, just keep me appraised as often as things change. As a point of protocol, this order stands for one month.”
Dawn was a little shocked. The mayor pretty much gave them a free rein to handle any situation with as much force as they saw fit on their own prerogative. Things were definitely getting serious.
“With that then, I believe we are done here. And I’m going back to bed,” said Llewellyn.
Owen let a small chortle out, “Well you do look like someone put your tail in a wringer. How bad was it? I still cannot believe you gated there and back with a passenger.”
Llewellyn smiled as he patted Dawn on the shoulder, “I don’t think I’ve felt worse in ten years, but it was worth it.”
Dawn smiled back at her father. She had no idea what he’d gone through for her, she was just glad for it. “Are you going to be healthy enough for practice in town tomorrow?”
He grinned, “Of course! You’re not getting out of going that easily.”
Chapter 10
Sure enough, the next day Dawn found herself back in town and sitting on a fence railing while the boys practiced their swordsmanship. It was a bright day but still quite cool; summer was still some weeks away and the mountain breeze was both fresh and comfortable. May sat beside her and absentmindedly plucked away on a mandolin.
“You know,” began May, “if you ever want to learn to use Live Steel or even just a normal sword, Llewellyn would be tickled pink to teach you.”
Dawn had never even thought about, “Learn swordsmanship? That’s seems… odd.”
“April and I learned from him. He’s quite a good instructor and it is a lot of fun. Think of it as father-daughter bonding or something.”
“You can do Live Steel, too?” Dawn’s curiosity was piqued.
“Yes, indeed. Not near as well as he, but few are!” began May. “We thought it would be a fun way to meet boys. That turned out different than planned!” May grinned, “Hey look, your little friend is up!”
Dawn turned to watch and sure enough the same boy as before was back. A quick exchange between Llewellyn and the boy set the tempo for things to come and the practice bout quickly turned into a dexterous display of basic sword form as well as wide ranging travel and foot work.
“Notice that Llewellyn is keeping his back to us. That means he is keeping you in the boy’s field of view,” smirked May.
She was right, of course. Just about every time things got out of line, Llewellyn would go out of his way to reorient the fight just as May had described.
“Check that out,” May beamed, “He’s a Silver. When he gets flushed the color of his fur ripples!”
May was right again. Just as she said, the boy’s beautiful lynx like coat would shimmer in hue or darkness when the exchange became especially aggressive. Llewellyn slowed his movement to an incredibly slow rate as he lowered to the beckoning fool guard. Well named as a defensive position, its low angled posture implied an easy shot to the torso where none actually existed. His pupil responded by going to a high guard and both slowed to a crawl making only simple feints. Suddenly Llewellyn rushed in a blinding exchange. The first attack was masterfully parried, the second too. Well, it would have been perfect if it hadn’t been for his wooden practice sword choosing that moment to break in half. Acting oblivious to the student’s broken weapon, Llewellyn continued the press while the other back-pedaled. In two short steps, Llewellyn would be all over him! Wide-eyed the student returned to a high guard and as he did so, the handle to his wooden sword disappeared and was replaced in a flash of blue light with a Live Steel blade.
Llewellyn broke off the engagement and laughed mightily while the student dismissed his blade and collapsed to the ground panting for air. Llewellyn patted him on the shoulder, “Good job! When everything fell apart you still kept yourself safe, even if it was a little unorthodox. There is a jug of water over by the fence. Get yourself a drink; you’ve had a good day.”
Dawn rolled her eyes. That was dirty pool, she thought. The jug of drinking water was just below where she was sitting.
The boy removed his helmet and approached the fence. He was handsome with the black ticks breaking up his fur. The tops of his ears were black as well, and he had long cheek tufts evenly framing his face. He smiled sheepishly as he walked up, “I saw you last time. Sorry I didn’t get a chance to talk to you then.”
Dawn smiled nervously back, “I remember that. I messed you up and you got hit on the head. Sorry about that.”
“That was my own fault.” He looked at the ground searching for words, “I just hadn’t seen you around before. Just that time early in the week and then in passing at the book store.”
“I just moved in a little more than a week ago.”
“Ask him his name already,” May mumbled under her breath.
The pair looked away from each other nervously.
“My name is Gavin,” he offered.
Gavin
“I’m Dawn,” she returned nervously.
“Dawn, um, would you like to go grab a coffee or something?”
Dawn was caught off-guard by the question and said the first thing that came to mind, “I don’t drink coffee.”
May desperately tried to fight back a snicker.
I’m such an idiot! Dawn thought in the awkward pause that followed. “Well, um, I need to go.”
“Okay… well, maybe I’ll catch you at the bookstore sometime,” he started to turn away.
“Gavin? Um, would you like to play a game of bocce?” Dawn offered.
Gavin brightened, “That’s like bowls, isn’t it? There is a bowling green on the north side of town. I’m supposed go with Fiona to the market tomorrow morning, so how about after lunch?”
Dawn nodded, slowly starting to relax. Who was Fiona? Was that the girl hanging off his arm earlier?
“Yo
ung sir,” asked May, “are you going to be at the dance tonight? I understand just about everyone will be there.”
Oh, Dawn was furious with May! Why couldn’t she just stay out of it!
Gavin nodded, “Yes, April, er, May… Yes, ma’am.”
“Then we all hope to see you there.”
Gavin nodded again and flashed a sincere smile to Dawn as he headed back out to the field.
“Thanks a lot!” Dawn growled.
“Oh, you’ll thank me later. No worries there,” May laughed evilly.
“You knew him already? He mostly knew you…”
“I know him in passing. We grew up here after all.”
“I’m not even sure I know how to dance,” she groused.
May brightened again, “Then we know what you will be practicing this afternoon!”
Was there no escape?
Chapter 11
The great market hall had been transformed for the night’s festivities. The long canvas roof offered shelter from the elements, but no such protection was needed tonight. It was a bright clear night with a small chill in the air, but the mood more than made up for the mountain air. Mantled oiled lamps alternating with the pure white synthetic glow panels bathed the room with a festive glow. Food and drinks were laid out on long benches to the side for those taking a break or just choosing the sidelines, while the center of the hall was filled with the ebb and flow of dancers enjoying the night away.
April and May stood on a small platform at one end of the hall playing to the eager crowd. Lute and violin gave way to nyckelharpa and mandolin as the songs changed to suit the dancers’ whims. Once again, the strange girl Gwen came and went. Often joining the twins to play a song, she would just wander off as soon as the song was over.
Dawn got swept up into a few of the longer formal dances. Four lines of ladies formed with a single line of males in the middle. Short a few spots, many other younger girls joined to fill in the empty spaces, and Dawn soon found herself having fun in spite of herself. But fun or not, dancing could be a serious work out, and she soon retired to the benches at the far side and enjoyed a fresh drink.
“One round of Trenchmore by twos and then all the singles for the Ghillie’s Lament,” called one of the twins, too far away for Dawn to tell which. The crowd cheered at the plan, but Dawn was quite happy to stay out of it. Last thing she wanted to do was get drafted into a singles’ dance!
April and May
Gwen caught Dawn’s eye as she once again climbed up on the stage and picked up a guitar. Without missing a beat, she joined in with the twins filling the air with dance music. Her precision and speed were easily on par with that of the twins and Dawn swore she actually could see Gwen smile. As the song hit its halfway point, she suddenly stopped and climbed off the stage and started walking over to the refreshment table. One of the twins made a sharp whistle in time with the music and tossed a small bag at Gwen. Gwen spun and plucked the bag from the air nonchalantly and the music continued without missing a beat.
Dawn laughed and was curious what that was all about.
Gwen weaved her way through the crowd, her movements fluid and in time with the music, until Dawn found herself face to face with her. Gwen opened the bag and dumped out a series of bells into her hand and smirked at Dawn.
“Oh, no, thank you. I’m fine,” blurted Dawn nervously. Girls wore bells on ribbons at dances when they were old enough to start to date and shop around, as it were. Bells on rings were generally reserved for girls with steady serious boyfriends. Ribbons or rings were immaterial; Dawn had no intention of further dances, much less starting to date!
Gwen paid her no mind and physically picked up Dawn and sat her on the table. With remarkable dexterity she quickly wrapped a series of bells around Dawn’s ankles. Half a heartbeat later she found herself standing again. A quick look down revealed not only were there bells on her ankles but her toes too!
Gwen smiled and gave the confused Dawn a quick hug.
“Why waste silver bells on such a drab girl?” murmured a girl of about fifteen behind them.
That caught Dawn flat footed. Everyone else had been so nice the last week or so. She could almost hear her late sisters after her again.
Gwen quickly spun around and got right into the other girl’s face. She grinned widely, baring her teeth wide. The interloper quickly scampered away.
“Thanks, Gwen,” murmured Dawn sheepishly.
Gwen spun back around giving Dawn a second hug before taking her by the hand and leading her across the dance floor. She all but swam as she walked, bouncing in time to the music, she threaded effortlessly through the crowd. Dawn had to work to keep up but found her antics and attitude fun and inspiring. Then she turned the corner on the far side of the hall.
And there was Gavin sitting at a table enjoying a drink. Beside him sat that gorgeous girl! In a brilliant green dress she looked even more striking than before. Gavin saw Dawn and then locked eyes with Gwen.
“Uh, no?” Gavin tried to protest.
He was too late. Gwen already had him by the wrist and turned to march the pair away. Gavin held his ground, but a swift twist of his wrist made it clear who was in charge. Staying close to keep her from bending his wrist backwards again, Gavin joined the parade. Soon the three found themselves in the middle of the hall just as the last dance ended and the next one was lining up to start. Gwen’s timing was impeccable.
With a flourish, Gwen spun the two youngsters and bowed out as the two faced each other and were left holding hands. The music launched off with great flair and Dawn soon found herself dancing with Gavin. They made one odd couple, both a little clumsy with their footwork, more from nervousness than lack of skill. As the song pressed on, they both started to relax, and before long, they were actually having fun.
The final notes of the song faded away, and Dawn flushed and her fur briefly stood on end. Gavin’s nervousness also showed as, right on cue, the color of his fur rippled. The both laughed at the situation as another dance was getting ready to start.
“Again?” peeped Dawn. “Or did you want to dance with that other girl.”
“Other girl?” Gavin craned his neck to see where Dawn was looking. “Oh, Fiona? She’ll be all right by herself for a bit.”
“So you and she aren’t…”
“Huh?”
“Well, she does seem to hang off you.”
“Well, she needs to. She’s been blind from birth.”
Dawn’s heart melted. The girl was gorgeous and couldn’t even appreciate it herself. So here was Gavin doing his best and nicest around a hard-luck case.
“I didn’t know. I thought you two were a couple.”
Gavin laughed so hard Dawn thought he might pass out, “Okay, it’s a small town. But not that small! She’s my sister.”
“Oh… Oh.” Suddenly Dawn felt horribly embarrassed and relieved all at the same time. “So then, um, would you like to dance?”
Gavin nodded shyly and the two set off again.
Two dances later the pair sat at a bench by the refreshments sitting back to enjoy the others on the floor.
“You’re a Silver, aren’t you, Gavin?”
“I guess I do color a bit when nervous,” he admitted. With a small display his fur rippled in hue until, with some concentration, he shifted the darkness down doing a fair approximation of a solid black coat.
Dawn laughed at the display, “I’ve never seen anyone ever try to imitate my coat before.”
Gavin shrugged, “It’s a beautiful and exotic coat, just like its owner.”
Dawn could feel her ears on fire as she reeled from the statement.
Quickly shifting gears Gavin asked, “So what brings you to our town?”
Dawn tried to smile, “My real parents were killed, so my uncle adopted me.”
“I, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…”
“It’s okay,” Dawn interrupted, “You didn’t know.” She smiled, “I now consider Llewellyn my father.”
Gavin’s eyes went wide, “Llewellyn Silverglade of House Stratford is your father?”
Dawn laughed at his shock, “Oh, so you’ve heard of him?” She smiled and continued, “Yes, officially I am Dawn Stratford. Don’t worry, Father doesn’t bite.” Suddenly realizing how taken aback he really was she asked, “We are still on for bocce tomorrow?”
“Yes. Yes, indeed,” he laughed quickly recovering.
“Uh oh. I see Gwen coming over here. She probably wants us back on the dance floor. Shall we dance?”
Gavin smiled, “I’d be delighted.”
Chapter 12
Dawn rolled out of bed late. Late late! She was sore all over, who knew dancing could take so much out of you. Ugh! She still had bells on her ankles and toes. How did she make it all the way home like that? She took them off setting them neatly on her desk. She made quick work of her bath and too quick work with the towel: wet fur stuck to her dress as she put it on. She must have made quite a sight when she walked into the kitchen as Ivy and Maria gave a mighty laugh.
“Someone had a good time last time. You hungry, sunshine?” offered Maria.
Dawn lit up, more at the sight of Maria doing so well than the offer of food, “Yes, please.”
Maria started to get up, but Ivy bid her to stay seated and she started to prepare breakfast for Dawn.
“You knew Fiona and Gavin weren’t a couple and you didn’t tell me,” mock groused Dawn to Maria.
“Well, I did try to get you to go talk to him, didn’t I?”
“True enough,” she smiled back. “Hey, where is Lily?”
“She’s sleeping, but Gwen is watching over her.” Maria replied.
“I thought she and Rachel left yesterday,” Dawn was a little confused.
“They did, but Gwen wanted to come back over, and we were delighted to have her. She really does so well with infants.”
Dawn Page 6
